THEGAYUK

Category: MEN’S HEALTH

  • Five things you should know when using PrEP

    As more and more countries work to make PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylactic) available for an affordable price, we thought it would be a good time to look at the pros and cons of people taking PrEP. But first, let’s cover the basics for those who don’t already know what PrEP is.

    PrEP is a drug that people who are HIV- can take in order to prevent HIV infection. It is important to note that PrEP is not a vaccine against HIV, meaning that if you stop taking the pills they stop protecting your body. It is also not a cure for HIV. People who already have HIV use similar medication in order to keep the virus in check, or at an ‘undetectable’ level.

    There is a lot of recent research into the effectiveness of PrEP, mostly because each country’s government that has looked into the drug has run its own tests. In some cases, this has been the cheapest way for people to obtain PrEP, as study participants obtain the drug and associated tests free of charge. Below we’ll look at five things you should know about when using PrEP.

    You should get tested for HIV and other medical conditions before starting PrEP.

    It is also important to note that the required testing that should take place before and during the administration of PrEP are important. Firstly one should be tested for HIV to make sure that you are HIV negative. Taking PrEP while HIV+ may cause mutations of the virus that become resistant to PrEP. Markus Feser who works with Hamburg-based HIV community action group Hein & Fiete remarks that it is also important to have a general check-up before beginning prep, as it is possible that taking PrEP for extended lengths of time can lower your bone density. Other side effects may also include headache, abdominal pain, decreased weight, nausea, and diarrhea. Less common side effects include lactic acidosis, liver dysfunction, and worsening of Hepatitis B infection. Recent studies have shown that there is no issue taking PrEP in conjunction with Hep B medication, however.

    PrEP might not be your best solution.

    You might hear things like ‘everyone should be on PrEP’ but this might not actually be the case. Most community action groups, and the doctors at 56 Dean Street, advocate a more measured approach to the uptake of PrEP. While PrEP is the latest defence against the rising number of HIV infections, it is not the only defence. There are of course people who prefer to use condoms as their prophylactic of choice, and decide not to use PrEP. For others who are not yet sexually active, or are only sexually active with one committed partner, there is no need to take PrEP. Likewise, if you are only having sex with someone who already has HIV but is undetectable, there may also be no need for you to take PrEP. If you fall into the category of people who have sex with multiple partners, has sex in high-risk situations (chem-sex, bareback, darkrooms etc.) then you may want to take PrEP regularly.

    You don’t have to take it every day.

    Purchasing PrEP is often an expensive prospect – which is why participating in a study is the way that many people can afford to be on the drug. But recent studies presented at the European AIDS Clinical Society 2017 Conference in Milan that show that taking PrEP on an as-needed basis, two to twenty-four hours before sexual activity and daily until two days after the last contact, known as the ‘event-based method’, or taking the pill 4 days a week: on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; known as T’s and S’s are also effective ways to protect yourself against HIV infection. This new information, along with grey-market ways to obtain the drug, have made taking PrEP a more affordable prospect. In the UK up to a 3-month supply can be ordered online without a prescription from various websites, for those in Continental Europe, many of these same websites deliver directly to a few countries. If your country isn’t in the delivery lists, some will deliver to a middle-man delivery company who will then deliver onward to you. These orders will often incur import/VAT duties when arriving in the UK, and middle-man companies will charge a fee to forward the delivery. From my own experience, this makes the pills about 50€ per month, if taken every day. Obviously, this cost can be brought down if using intermittent methods.

    There are good reasons to take it.

    If you’re like me, you think that sex without condoms feels better. I usually don’t enjoy sex with a condom – if I’m the top – and quickly lose my erection while putting a condom on (though I have other pills to help with that now too). I often have sex in club darkrooms, when I’m heavily under the influence of various things, and not asking about my partner’s sexual history, and I often don’t carry condoms at all, though I use them if I’m asked to by my partner and he has them. In these situations though, knowing that I am on PrEP means that I don’t have to be concerned about what I have done, or what I might have done that I have forgotten about during the party. The official line from most doctors and activists is that PrEP should be used in conjunction with condoms, as a safety-net in case the condom breaks or something else goes wrong. In these cases, PrEP provides a way of knowing for sure that you’ll be safe from HIV infection when having high-risk sex.

    It doesn’t protect against other STIs.

    An important thing to remember about PrEP is that it is only a preventative against HIV. It doesn’t offer any protection against other transmittable STIs. For this reason, many people choose to use condoms to prevent against other STIs when having sex. Whether you take PrEP as a preventative against HIV or not, if you are having sex in high-risk situations, you should make sure that you are being tested regularly. Since the introduction of PrEP around the world, many areas have reported that HIV infections have fallen, including London, New York, and New South Wales. While HIV tests have remained steady, new HIV infections have dropped in places where PrEP is readily available. This is not only attributable to PrEP, as better HIV medications mean that those living with HIV are undetectable and so cannot pass on the virus to sexual partners. Here’s a side benefit: because PrEP users are encouraged to get STI tests regularly – every three months – rates of other STIs, particularly gonorrhoea, are also falling as people are having them treated more quickly. This may also be due to better health information people who aren’t on PrEP are also getting tested more frequently.

    When you’re deciding whether PrEP is right for you, there are plenty of places to find more information. London clinic 56 Dean Street have a helpful series of YouTube videos which outline some of the points made above.

    If you want to get PrEP, and you’re in London, you can visit 56 Dean Street clinic, 10 Hammersmith Broadway, or Homerton clinics. The NHS Impact trial has participating clinics all over the UK. Click the link to search for a clinic near you where you can take part. Participating in the trial is free for those who are selected to take part. 10,000 participants are required for the trial, with clinics already open, and others opening intake soon.

    For those unable to participate in the trial, or who are able to pay for PrEP themselves, check I Want Prep Now.co.uk to find out where to purchase it online. If you’re in the Republic of Ireland, a website has been set up to help you obtain PrEP online.

    If you’re in mainland Europe, Dynamix can also provide tested and proven PrEP, delivered to the UK and Europe. If you live in a country where you cannot get PrEP delivered directly, such as Germany, Dynamix will deliver to a middle-man delivery company such as Borderlinx who will pass the delivery on to you for a fee. This is the process I use, and Dynamix and Borderlinx have not contributed to THEGAYUK.com for this referral.

    Readers in Barcelona can now contact the first European community PrEP centre to get advice and support while considering or taking PrEP.

    As with any medical treatment, you should always consult with your doctor, and make sure you make the right choices for yourself.

  • Guys: Five health signs that something might be wrong

    We spoke to doctors from The Online Clinic to seek advice on the most important symptoms for men to be on the lookout for.

    Men's Health, prostate worries,
    If you’re suffering any of these pains, you might want to get yourself to the GP

    It can be hard to know what health issues are really important to look out for with men’s health. The internet throws all kinds of signs and symptoms at us, and googling only results in permanent paranoia. To try and understand what we really should be keeping an eye out for, I’ve been speaking to doctors from The Online Clinic to highlight the most important health signs. They gave me information on the following top five health signs which should be a warning signal to men to go and get a check-up.

    Urination

    Be sure to keep an eye on your urine – as this is often the first sign that something is wrong with your prostate. If you have a poor stream or find there is hesitation when going to pee, this can be a strong indication of prostatic issues. Get checked by a doctor as soon as possible and put your mind at ease.

    Unexplained weight loss

    Another sign is weight loss – if you are losing weight without intention, it’s a good idea to get this investigated. The doctors at The Online Clinic have said that it could mean you have a symptom of a metallic disorder such as thyroid disease, diabetes, or even cancer in the extreme cases.

    Statistically, middle-aged men are twice as likely to suffer from diabetes than women, so it is important to rule this out. If you notice that you are beginning to lose weight, make sure you see a doctor ASAP.

    Coughing

    Coughing can be another sign of a more serious health problem – if you’re a smoker, don’t dismiss a cough that lingers for more than three weeks as just being a nasty cigarette side effect. It could be a sign of something much more serious, like a lung disorder – or even cancer. If you find that a cough does last longer than three weeks, be sure to get this checked as soon as possible. And, if you don’t smoke, a cough longer than 6 weeks could indicate the same thing.

    Painful ejaculation

    Pain when you ejaculate is unpleasant and can be distressing. If this happens make sure you take note and go to the doctors, however embarrassing it may be.

    Regularly check for blood in your sperm or discharge from your penis. If you do find anything unusual it’s a good idea to go and get an STI test. These are all symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease.

    Pain

    Lastly, it’s important to remember that pain, in general, is usually a sign that something’s wrong: listen to your body when it tells you that something is amiss and seek advice from a doctor.

    Advice given by Dr Elizabeth Kershaw-Yates, GP and one of the medical team at TheOnlineClinic

  • ADVICE | My penis has started to curve is this normal?

    Has your penis started to bend or curve at a strange angle? Is intercourse getting painful?

    ADVICE | My penis has started to curve is this normal?

    A small percentage of men find that their penises will start to bend or curve,  Jackie Hall, Health at Hand operations manager at AXA PPP healthcare gives us some insight into the condition known as Peyronie’s disease.

    About 5 percent of men over the age of 50 will develop a condition of the penis called Peyronie’s disease. This is a benign but potentially emotionally upsetting condition in which scar tissue develops on the shaft of the penis sometimes resulting in a penile bend noticeable with erections.

    This can lead to sexual dysfunction with in some cases the affected man avoiding a sexual relationship altogether.

    A proportion of affected men will find erections and intercourse too painful although others will simply notice a lump on the shaft of the penis or a minor painless penile bend which does not cause too much trouble.

    Unfortunately there are no really effective cures for this condition, however, we recommend visiting a GP for a more detailed assessment.

  • SEXUAL HEALTH | Can I use urine to stop the spread of Chlamydia?

    This week a reader asks whether urine can stop an STI infection.

    Dear Team

    I was having a chat with a friend who told me that you could stop an STI like Chlamydia, by using your own urine. He suggested that after having sex, you try to pee but block the end of your penis with your foreskin or just block the hole and it will stop Chlamydia. 

    Is this true?

    Tom, Deeside

    Dear Tom,

    This is not true and please don’t try it. It’s a bit like the myth that says if you pee immediately after sex you’ll not catch or be infected with an STI – such as Chlamydia. It has not been medically proven to work.

    Not only will this not stop an infection, but you could cause real troubles for your penis (and cause irreparable damage) if you block the entrance to the urethra – the tube where the pee comes out of.  Think about what happens to a balloon if you overfill it… now think about the tube in your penis… Yep.

    The only thing that is going to stop the spread of any infection is a good safer sex plan!  As Pam Ann told us, “if it’s not on… it’s not on… Condoms and regular testing at your nearest sexual health clinic. Some clinics offer at home testing kits so make sure you get yourself booked in.

    Have you got a question you’d like to ask our experts?

  • Is it normal to bleed after anal sex?

    Is it normal to bleed after anal sex?

    Myths persist – but here’s what you need to know if you’re bleeding after anal sex.

    (C) BIGSTOCK / Depositphotos

    Anal sex can be an integral part of a sexual relationship, but not all couples do it – however, there’s a lot of wrong information out there about bottoming.

    Bleeding after anal sex can be just ‘one of those things’ and can happen on your first go round or your 100th – so to put your mind and butt at rest, here’s why it happens.

    Tiny rips happen

    Your rectum is not self-lubricating, so unless you’re using lube, you’re going to be creating a lot of friction, which can cause the lining of the rectum to tear or rip a little, if this sounds hideous, it might be worth noting that most of these rips are tiny – and can actually happen outside of sex as well. These rips can cause bleeds – and most probably you’ve had bleeds but never realised it.

    It happens because the lining of your rectum is not as strong as your normal skin.

    Also, anal sex could also be causing what is known as an anal fissure. Anal fissures are tiny rips that can happen both on the inside and on and around your actual hole – especially if you’re not relaxed or have not loosened yourself up before the main event. These can heal all by themselves within a few weeks.

    The P Word…

    Do piles bleed after anal sex?

    Another issue is the dreaded P word – yes piles.

    Bleeds may be caused by popping a pile or if we’re going to be medical about it, haemorrhoids.  Piles are completely normal and are the enlargement of a blood vessel that already exists inside your butt. You might not even know you have one until it pops during sex.

    Some people have visible piles on the outside of the anus, whilst some have them on the inside.

    There’s no evidence to show that having anal sex causes piles but it can inflame the issue.

    Jose Perez de la Cruz from THT told us, “So long as the piles are not actively bleeding or painful at the time on intercourse then it is probably safe to have sex. If they are bleeding or there is inflammation though this means that the natural protective barrier formed by the skin and mucous membranes is not at its optimum which if exposed to an STI can make transmission more likely”.

    “So long as the piles are not actively bleeding or painful at the time on intercourse then it is probably safe to have sex. If they are bleeding or there is inflammation though this means that the natural protective barrier formed by the skin and mucous membranes is not at its optimum which is exposed to an STI can make transmission more likely”.

    If you’re suffering from haemorrhoids you can buy Preparation H or Germaloids online and this should help ease them away and give yourself a few days rest from sex to help you heal.

    Should I go to the doctor if I bleed from my bum

    When should I seek help?

    If you are experiencing a lot of pain or prolonged aching after sex you might need to seek medical help. It is normal for there to be some discomfort for a day after, especially after your first time. However, if pain continues you should go and see your GP or book yourself into a sexual health clinic.

    If there is a lot of blood (think steady drip rather than a bit of spotting on your toilet paper) you should go and see your doc ASAP.

    Dr Shawn Khodadadian, a board-certified gastroenterologist in Manhattan, is cautioning people against ignoring rectal bleeding. He warns that rectal bleeding could be a sign of other, far more serious illness such as colorectal or colon cancer. He said,

     “as there are many possible causes and getting an early diagnosis is particularly important. This is because although rectal bleeding can be a symptom of haemorrhoids, colitis or anal fissures, it can also be a sign of a far more serious illness for example colorectal or colon cancer. These types of cancers can often be completely cured when detected early.”

    You’re gonna need lube and lots of it

    Will lube stop anal bleeding?

    So the best way to stop the friction is to use lube a lot of it. You can find out about the different types of lube here. If you’re having a long session – they don’t forget to keep reapplying the lube or use a silicone-based lube, which should last a lot longer.

    Remember, despite what you see in gay porn, you can just ram it in. You need to take your time, use lube and go an inch at a time!

    Good luck and have fun!

  • 10 things you can do to make you last longer in bed

    Guys, if you find yourself unable to last long in bed – we’ve got ten tips that might help.

    You’re halfway through your performance with a totally hot guy you just met, when without warning your little Mister calls time. Yes, you’ve spaffed your load without warning. The little swimmers are taking a curtain call as you mutter “I’m so sorry, i.. i…” (I mean, what do you say as he’s riving in agony with man juice in his eye….. ‘It Burrrrrnnnns’)

    Here are our top tips to making sure you last longer in the sack.

    1) Homework.

    The best part of this lesson is that you get to do homework and as much of it as you like. A wank is a key element to why many men prematurely blow their loads. Why? Well if you train yourself to cum quite quickly when you’re alone, the chances are that you will do exactly the same when you’re with a partner. So next time your palm is dating your dick, work your way up to 15 minutes, 20 minutes and for those who have cocks of rock try 30 minutes. Try bringing yourself to the point of no return and then stop before you explode. Giving yourself a moment to relax and start again.

    Give yourself a moment to relax and start again.

    2) Round 2.

    Usually, the second time in a day may take longer to achieve climax. There are two ways. You choke the chicken before you go out for a shag, but if you’re hours in-between meeting your butt buddy, then you can always get down to it twice with the same bloke in one night – a 5-minute breather and climb onboard again! Plus you’ll look like a stud who can go multiple times in an evening. Win win.

    3) Less Stimulation.

    If you’re finding it all too much, just pause for a moment. Find a position where you are less stimulated. Why not call “All Change” and swap positions or roles even. Not only does this give you a moment, but also adds an element of workout to your session.

    It also acts as a communication device! Letting each other know you’re having a great time! The receiver on top will often help with a less stimulating f**k for your penis as he’ll have more control over the thrusts and strokes, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the view.

    NEXT >>

  • ADVICE | I had bareback sex, can I get PEP on the NHS?

    After having bareback sex, this reader asks what are the options available to getting PEP on the NHS.

    can I get PEP on the NHS?

    Dear TGUK,
    I recently hooked up with a guy I know to be promiscuous, we got drunk and he ended up f**king me bareback and I had some blood down there the next day. I’m desperate to get PrEP, as even though he says he’s HIV negative, how can I be sure? I don’t normally take risks, but this time I slipped up.
    Please help!
    Sam (name changed)

     

    Hi Sam,

    If you’re worried about your status you should visit a sexual health clinic right away or an A&E department, who also can prescribe the Post-exposure prophylaxis drugs (PEP). It is a course of drugs which lasts up to 28 days. It is effective at stopping the HIV virus up 72 hours after exposure.

    You will need to explain to the doctors why you think you need the treatment and they will assess the likelihood of your exposure to the virus.

    Bareback sex carries a high risk to HIV exposure, but also to a variety of other infections, which can all be very nasty and may not show symptoms. You say that the guy said that he was HIV negative, but when was the last time he was tested and was he telling the truth? You can never be sure, which is why it’s important for you to take responsibility for your own health. If he’s had unprotected sex with you and you say he’s known for being promiscuous the likelihood of him having unprotected sex with others is very high.

    Make sure you ask your doctor or sexual health professional about the side-effects of PEP.

    As for the blood you mentioned, the anus is filled with veins and delicate capillaries, which can get damaged during sex. You may want to check that you don’t have piles and if you do there are many over the counter remedies for these. If you’re worried or concerned see your GP.

    Remember unless you 100% trust someone wrap it up.

    Visiting a sex health clinic is an important part of life, taking responsibility for your health and for others you’re having sex with. Making regular visits every six months to once a year is suggested if you’re sexually active.

    Did you know you can order an at-home HIV test online? Click here to buy one

    ALSO READ: Why does my foreskin smell?

    ALSO READ: Do I wank too much?

     

    The advice given in this article is for guidance only and you should always seek your own independent, professional medical advice from your own GP if you are concerned about your health.  

     

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

     

    Got a problem you’d like advice on?

  • ADVICE | I’ve got lopsided balls, is this normal?

    Have you ever wondered if one ball hanging lower than the other way normal? Or why one is bigger than the other? Medical Director from Pharmacy2U, Dr Nitin Shori, answers your questions.

     

    Dear TGUK
    I’ve got one ball hanging lower than the other – I’ve not noticed whether other guys are the same because our school has separate shower cubicles – so I don’t know – and I’m still a virgin.  Is there something wrong with me? Should one ball hang lower than the other, I’m quite worried about it.

    John, 15, Glasgow

     

    Dear John,

    It’s quite common for one testicle to be bigger than the other and also for one testicle to hang lower than the other one.

    You’re 15 as well and males go through puberty between 12 and 16, reaching full physical maturity at around 18, so it may also be that you’re still developing.

    In any case, it’s normal to feel a bit anxious and unsure of what is and isn’t ‘normal’ while you’re growing and your body is changing.

    Testicles should feel smooth, without any lumps or bumps, and firm but not hard. You may feel a soft tube at the back of each testicle, which is called the epididymis.

    What we advise men to look out for is changes in their testicles such as swellings, lumps or bumps that weren’t there before as this can be a sign of testicular cancer and this is why doctors advise you to check your testicles regularly.

    If you’re still concerned and want to talk to someone confidentially, then your GP is a good starting point.

    We’ve teamed up with the UK’s leading online pharmacy, Pharmacy2U, to answer all your health and sexual questions.

    Got a problem you’d like advice on? Click here to ask your question.

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

    Advice given in this article is for guidance only and you should always seek your own independent, professional medical advice from your own GP if you are concerned about your health.  

  • ADVICE | I had sex a couple of years ago and now I keep on getting ill. Do I have HIV?

    A reader tells the doctor that he’s been feeling unwell 3 years after having a sexual encounter with two guys. Doctor Nitin Shori Medical Director of Pharmacy2U.co.uk answers his concerns.

    I always feel ill do I have HIV

    Dear Doctor

    I had sex with 2 guys about 3.5 years ago. Different times just once each both times with latex condom. I have looked up HIV symptoms and I am freaking out. At some point (I can’t remember how close to these events) I had a bad case of tonsillitis with tiredness and fever and I also suffer from seborrheic dermatitis, which is at least 3 years old (although a shampoo called Nizoral controls it).

    How likely is it that I got HIV from these encounters? I have taken a test recently but the wait is damaging my mental health. I can’t eat or sleep and I see symptoms in everything, especially as I get more tired. I even felt I had aids related dementia as my alertness deteriorated.

    Alex, Plymouth

     

    Dear Alex

    HIV is mainly transmitted through unprotected sex (without a condom) and the sharing of contaminated injecting equipment (eg. needles to inject drugs with).

    As you used protection, there is a low risk that you could have contracted HIV from the sex you had. However, you have done the correct thing and got yourself tested. If you have unprotected sex or think you could have been exposed to HIV through penetrative or oral sex, or drug use, it is always worth getting checked out.

    Although there is no cure for HIV, new treatments mean those with the disease can live long, normal and healthy lives.

    If you are anxious about the wait for your results, speak to your GP, who will be able to offer support and advice

    To help prevent HIV, always use a condom when having sex and never share needles or other injecting equipment (spoons, swabs or syringes).

    Stress can cause you to forget things or become tired quickly, so your symptoms could be a reaction to your wait for your results. If your tiredness and forgetfulness continues, speak to your GP who will be able to arrange some simple tests for conditions such as anaemia or a vitamin deficiency.

    Pharmacy2U Online Doctor

     

  • ADVICE | I have genital warts… Can I get rid of them with a cream?

    This week a reader asks how he might get rid of genital warts, Dr Nitin Shori answers the question.

    I have genital warts... Can I get rid of them with a cream?

    Dear Doctor

    I have genital warts and don’t want to get them frozen off again. Can I get a cream buy one or get one without the doctor having to look?

    Liam

    Hello Liam

    Genital warts are very common in England – second only among sexually transmitted infections (STIs) after chlamydia.

    They often appear as small fleshy growths or lumps in the genital or anal areas and are caused by a viral skin infection related to the human papillomavirus (HPV).

    While they can look unsightly and can sometimes bleed, they don’t usually cause any real threat to your health.

    However, they are a reminder of the need to take adequate precautions against STIs, many of which have very serious health consequences.

    As well as being passed on during sexual intercourse, genital warts can also be spread via skin-to-skin contact.

    It’s important to understand that a condom won’t always protect you and that it is possible for HPV to be transferred from apparently healthy skin.

    As you know, genital warts can be frozen off the skin using a technique called cryotherapy. Medical professionals can also use laser treatments, surgery or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to remove genital warts.

    You’d prefer not to have to see a doctor to have your genital warts removed and you’ll be pleased to learn that prescription liquids and creams could be available for you to use at home if you have been previously diagnosed with genital warts by a doctor.

    Following an online consultation, the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor Service could prescribe you with one of a number of creams and liquids used to remove genital warts.

    Some work by stimulating the body’s immune system against HPV, while others have a directly toxic effect on the wart itself.

    Whatever you choose to do, it’s important to get yourself checked for other STIs if you think there’s a risk that you might have been infected.

  • ADVICE | Can I get HIV from oral sex?

    ADVICE | Can I get HIV from oral sex?

    A reader asks our sexual health experts on how easy it is to get HIV from unprotected oral sex.

    can you get HIV from oral sex
    BIGSTOCK

    Dear TGUK
    Me and a former boyfriend had partial sex several months ago. We performed hand jobs on one another and he gave me a blowjob. The blowjob wasn’t long (only four sucks) and I didn’t cum. However, as a hypochondriac, I’m concerned about HIV. Prior to sex, I asked him if he had sex before. He had sex only once in the past and it was only mutual masturbation and fellatio. My parents won’t let me take a test because it would worsen my health anxiety. But should I be worried?

    Joe 16,

    Hello Joe

    Thank you for writing to us with your worries, it sounds as though you had a very low-risk encounter with your ex. Oral sex is considered a low-risk activity for catching HIV, especially if you’re on the receiving end of the BJ. However, it’s not just HIV that you have to consider here. Other nasties like Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea can be passed on by both receiver and giver, and might not even show symptoms, however, all these infections can be treated effectively if caught soon enough.

    If you are worried you should make an appointment to go to a clinic, or just pop along to a walk-in clinic. There are some amazing services – and now, there’s even an online clinic called S24, where you can take tests at home and have the results sent to your mobile phone, Google it.

    If your parents are standing in your way of getting a health check maybe you need to have a conversation with them about your worries, however at 16 you can go to a clinic by yourself you have the right to be treated confidentially.

    Hand-jobs and mutual masturbation are very safe activities, as long as you keep bodily fluids such as semen away from open cuts or sores. If you’re worried in future you can use condoms during oral, and there are even flavoured ones to try.

    Visiting a sex health clinic is an important part of life, taking responsibility for your health and for others you’re having sex with. Making regular visits every six months to once a year is suggested if you’re sexually active.

    So don’t delay and more importantly try not to worry yourself too much.

    Did you know you can order an at-home HIV test online? Click here to buy one (AMAZON)

    ** Advice given here is for guidance only. You should always seek to obtain your own medical advice from your own GP or doctor **

    Got a problem you’d like advice on? Use the form below to get in touch